Dancing On Ice star Gemma Collins has revealed she threw up on the ice after backlash from fans over claims she’s been a ‘diva’ backstage at the show.
Gemma, 37, has had a tough week after reports she was going to quit the show – something she has denied – and criticism from hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about her lack of professionalism.
During an appearance on Lorraine on Friday, Gemma said she is determined to carry on with the series and has taken inspiration from pro mixed martial artist Conor McGregor’s film Notorious.
Read more: Gemma Collins fearing serious injury from latest DOI routine
She said: “I am going to be the Conor McGregor on the ice. Against all odds, I will not be defeated, I will not be beaten down.
“I’m coming out on Sunday Conor McGregor-style, taking it to the ice.
“I watched Conor McGregor’s film last night and I thought, ‘That’s the spirit. He don’t give up, and I’m not giving up.’ I’ve worked too hard to throw it away.”
Gemma continued: “It has been one hell of a week, but I am not giving up. I’ve been working on the most amazing routine for Sunday. It’s going to be absolutely jaw-dropping, so tune in.
“Yesterday on the ice I was throwing up and there were lots of tears. My family have been very distressed.
“It has caused nothing but endless pain. I couldn’t believe the hate, the trolling.”
Meanwhile, Gemma also claimed Dancing on Ice has “become a bit blade wars” because “everyone is at each other”.
The former TOWIE star has a good idea of who has been spreading backstage speculation about her after it was claimed this week that she had a nap during the rehearsals before last Sunday’s live show, and that she then left 15 minutes early later that night because she was “bored”.
But the 37-year-old star insists she has “evidence” proving such rumours are not true, and she hopes the mystery mole “speaks up and says the truth”.
She said: “We sort of know where the rumour has come from, but we’re just trying to get the person to admit it and stand up and apologise.
“They definitely didn’t see me … I’ve got text messages, voice recordings, telephone recordings confirming I wasn’t asleep, confirming I never said I was bored.
“That person needs to speak up and say the truth as to what made them do it. The show has become a bit blade wars. Everyone is at each other.
“Hopefully the truth will come out and then we can put this to bed.”
Gemma’s comments come after Dancing on Ice’s digital presenter Kem Cetinay “massively apologised” to her after he claimed live on This Morning this week that she had been late to rehearsals for a group performance because she was “having a nap”, and said she’d left Sunday’s live show early because she was “bored”.
This prompted a backlash from presenters Phil and Holly, who questioned Gemma’s “professionalism”.
What’s more, Gemma’s partner Matt Evers laughed off reports this week that she had a sleep during the rehearsals before the live show.
Read more: DOI’s Christopher Dean hits back at Gemma Collins ‘diva’ claims
He stated on Lorraine: “Gemma did not have a nap. Look, we all want to take a nap on Sundays, I wish I could have a nap on Sundays.
“We’re there all day Saturdays for rehearsals we’re there first thing on Sunday, we do camera blocking all morning, then we do a dress rehearsal all afternoon.”
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